The impact of neurotypical cognition on communication deficits attributed to pathologized people: schizophrenia as a case study

Abstract

Social communication deficits have been robustly documented in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Historically, attempts to lessen this dysfunction have focused almost exclusively on modifying the person with schizophrenia’s own behaviors and cognition. However, social communication is inherently dyadic, and this approach leaves unaddressed the role of the neurotypical interlocutor in communication breakdown. In this position piece, we review psycholinguistic theories and research in order to propose a more comprehensive and equitable understanding of the social dysfunction that people with schizophrenia experience. We do so by drawing attention to the manner in which neurotypical individuals may drive communication failure in schizophrenia. Stigma is proposed to be a major component of this phenomenon. In addition to an overview of our theoretical framework, we provide a research agenda to test the hypotheses this framework has produced. We hope this piece can inform future research directions within psycholinguistics.

Towards a just and equitable applied psycholinguistics

“…Marocchini argues for a higher level of citation of autistic-led research and a shift in perspective within the academic community. Another article challenging ableist ideologies in applied psycholinguistics research comes from Hodgins, O’Driscoll, and Titone (2023, this issue) in their manuscript titled “The impact of neurotypical cognition on communication deficits attributed to pathologized people: schizophrenia as a case study.” The authors discuss the social communication deficits observed in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, which have historically been attributed to their own behaviors and cognition. Importantly, they propose that the role of the neurotypical interlocutor is crucial in communication breakdown.…”